Cart_Graph.JPG


Velocity is expressed in meters per second. Therefore, the slope of meters per second would be expressed in (m/s)/s, which equals m/(s^2). Acceleration is the quantity that examines quantities of m/(s^2), so the slope of velocity is acceleration. When the slope is negative, the cart is moving freely downward. When the slope is positive, the slope is moving freely upward.

A higher ramp elevation causes the corresponding graph to have a larger slope.

The initial velocity is where the linear approximation of the velocity vs. time graph crosses the y-axis. The relationship between initial velocity, acceleration, and time can be expressed with the equation
v = v0 + at.

The parabola of best fit for the position vs. time graph can be expressed with the equation f(t) = -.59t^2 + .93t + .42.
Position = -.59(time^2) + .93(time) + .42

The equation that relates position, time, initial velocity, and acceleration is:
Position= at^2 + v0t + x0
x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2